May trip - Gator Hook to Roberts Lakes Strand

[Keith W]

I have a mind to try and reach Robert's Lakes Strand from the Gator Hook Trail on the Monroe Station leg of the Loop. I know the Fl. Scenic Trail runs through the Strand on the eastern end but I have yet to hear of anybody coming in from the west. The first couple of miles of the old Gator Hook logging tram that runs southeast off the Loop has been cleared, but it's all wild after that. The line of the tram is still evident after the cleared path runs out, and I was able to follow it for about another half-mile but it gets pretty boggy in places. Anybody else have any info on this route?

[shawn beightol]

This 1938 church record describe's a "Clancy Mill" 18 miles east of Ochopee.  That puts Clancy Mill not too far from Gator Hook:

[shawn beightol]

List of Many Old Logging Trams/Trainways in Florida:

(alphabetical except where a company has more than 1 mill/tramway)

fromhttp://www.flarr.com/lumbercos.htm

see attached

[Gene]

Great information Shawn. Looking into my library I came across the book "Florida's Last Frontier, The history of Collier county" published in 1966 and found the following statement:

"Two mills, one at Naples and the other at Bonita Springs, reached into the timber lands from the west coast. The Clancy Mill, located south of the Trail four miles west of Monroe Station, pushed its logging railroad down into Monroe County and cut the cypress there. At the same time, the Maxcey Mill located east of Ochopee was cutting cypress north of the same highway. Cummer and Sons carried on an extensive logging operation, cutting most of the cypress belonging to the Colliers."

It seems odd to me that the Clancey Mill would be WEST of Monroe station given the lack of evidence present on the ground. On the other hand, the tram Dale refers to running West or WSW from the loop may give the idea some merit.

[shawn beightol]

The above church record puts Clancy east of Monroe near about where oasis visitor center is.  There is a faint line running due south right into roberts lakes area from there and to the Gator Hook Trail/Tram.

There is a tramway south of Kirby Storter that I've hiked that could also be related to your quote, it is 3.5 miles West of Monroe Station.  In the late 20's and early 30's before his death, Jaudon was desperate to get logging going to help pay back taxes on the Chevelier land that the govt was threatening to seize for taxes owed.  

[Swamp Hunter]

There is also a tram north of Monroe Station.  The faint line sounds like the Florida Trail that we are trying to hook up with officially, with the help of the FTA..

[Chris H]

Dale said:

Yes Pam a large gator almost took me down there. It leaped out of the water with mouth open only inches from my face as I approached the bank. A lesson I will never forget.  Its a dangerous canal.

I remember some old timers had a dinghy hidden in the weeds and they crossed that canal every hunting season. Its tempting Shawn but the Gator Hook Trail (going east) is not completed yet and much work needs to be done. I plan on meeting with the FTA this Sunday morning to try to coordinate efforts to complete the 2.4 miles as shown on the NPS kiosk. I would like to cut a path across Holey Rock.  https://www.facebook.com/events/582230861904105/?sid_reminder=30817...

The FTA is meeting at 8 o'clock. I plan on being there before 6 am. All I need is a helper or two to complete that last section of trail and the 2.4 will be complete.. Anyone want to go with me, be early. We can meet up with the rest of the FTA members on the way back or simply wait for them.  Shawn? Bill? Chris?

Hi Dale, I would have liked to have joined you guys but I was out of town that weekend. I need to check this site more often.  If you guys head back out there anytime soon please let me know and I'll try my best to join you. 

[Dallas]

Walked the trail from Gator Hook to Roberts Lakes and south to the Loop Road trail head on Sat/Sun.The water is high, probably about knee and below most of the way and thigh and below around Roberts Lakes. Bumped into 27 FTA'ers on the second day (actually they all showed up where I was camping) as they were doing the solstice at Roberts Lakes. It was a pleasure to meet Christopher Boykin who was leading the group. He made the unexpected meetup totally comfortable. Actually the whole group was really great to meet. I also met Flex from this forum which was also a pleasure.

[Swamp Hunter]

Yea Christopher is a great guy. How did you like the trail Dallas? Did you have any trouble following it? Where did you camp?  I was out on the trail the day before yesterday and I tweeked it a bit and tied more ribbons. Do you know who tied those red reinforced ribbons? I like those. The benches are rotting away so I moved one to to a better place and the plastic trash has all been removed before I arrived. Unfortunately someone took the pump. I ran into some hikers from Arizona. I couldnt believe they hiked this far in shorts but they were loving it and not complaining.. They were real troopers.

[Swamp Hunter]

Hello Chris. You need to check Christina Dupuy's facebook pages for upcoming events. We could use your help. My loggers camp/water pump island still eludes me but I may have an idea of where to search next. Im thinking its on one of the part

ially washed out spurs..    The Florida Trail Association is blazing and maintaining the trail. https://www.facebook.com/groups/127086894117840/    https://www.facebook.com/events/584847534979404/  

[Swamp Hunter]

My latest theory on the lost pump island location may be at the end of this red dotted line. Im thinking its on this old spur. I have been searching the second spur but this first spur after the bench camp hasnt yet been searched yet. Its worth a shot. Im sure it lies within the circled area. the first arrow (top left) is the bench camp location. Lets find that camp and preserve it. Its also a great overnight or rest stop location. I was hoping someone would read this and tell us the location but unfortunately Im afraid anyone that knows has passed on.

[Swamp Hunter]

Gator Hook loggers camp/deep sulphur well pump island winter of 1989. This water is potable. My photographer hid my face behind a wild coffee leaf for some reason lol.

[Dallas]

Hi Dale,

The trail was very well marked up to the benches (there were blazes on the trees all the way out). After that, the trail was pretty well marked with ribbons (nice job to whoever put those up, it was much easier than the last time I did it in 2012). I'd say the hardest part to stay on the trail was the last 'leg' of the 'W' heading NE from Gator Hook Strand to the FT (or 'blue trail' as it is now known). Since it was so wet, it was almost impossible to see where the trail was by looking at 'the ground'. Most of the time you could you see a narrow corridor between the cypress trees but in sections you have to either go through or around some thicker cocoplum which makes it hard to find the trail again. It was a very strenuous walk with the water up to knee in some parts and no dry spots to stop or take off your pack after leaving Gator Hook Strand. I actually did it again the following weekend with a buddy who is in special forces and even he said it was tough walking. Both times we camped on the dry mound/knoll in Robert's Lakes Strand around where the trail turns south towards Loop Road. I had an otter circling around my camp in the morning on the on my first hike. I still believe that it is one of the prettiest parts of the Everglades. 

Dale said:

Yea Christopher is a great guy. How did you like the trail Dallas? Did you have any trouble following it? Where did you camp?  I was out on the trail the day before yesterday and I tweeked it a bit and tied more ribbons. Do you know who tied those red reinforced ribbons? I like those. The benches are rotting away so I moved one to to a better place and the plastic trash has all been removed before I arrived. Unfortunately someone took the pump. I ran into some hikers from Arizona. I couldnt believe they hiked this far in shorts but they were loving it and not complaining.. They were real troopers.